Abstract

Black and Coloured chartered accountants (CAs) are under-represented in Accounting departments at academic institutions in South Africa. It is generally accepted that this is because of the poor remuneration offered in academia and a general shortage of Black and Coloured CAs. This study, which is based on a questionnaire to CAs, assesses their perceptions of a career in academia. It contrasts these perceptions of and requirements for a career in academia with current employment conditions and makes recommendations about increasing the number of Black and Coloured CAs in academia. These recommendations include increased remuneration and better promotion of the benefits of an academic career.